Gang fears as Garda station shuts

Fears were expressed yesterday that the closure of a Garda station in a former Limerick crime blackspot could allow a feuding gang to reassert control.

The Keane Collopy faction, based in St Mary’s Park, has been badly hit by concerted Garda actions over the past five years.

Some key members are in jail while others are dead.

But the closure of Mary Street Garda Station this Thursday has sparked anger in the community.

Local councillor John Gilligan said: “Serious incidents down here in St Mary’s Park dramatically declined over the past five years.

“Closing Mary Street barracks will not help and, in fact, could reverse things and I don’t want that to happen.”

He said the retention of the station is critically important to ensuring gang members do not try and reassert themselves in the community.

“If we go back to where we’ve been — and nobody wants to go back there — it would mean the cutbacks, which are now resulting in the closure of the local Garda station, would allow people to fill the vacuum.

“We will never reach the stage when things are perfect, but I can honestly say things have changed dramatically down here over the past number of years,” the former city mayor said.

He said the gardaí had done a remarkable job in St Mary’s Park which had 24/7 armed patrols at the height of the feud.

“Change came when the ordinary people of our city said ‘enough’. Some families paid a dreadful price for taking a stand and must not be forgotten,” he said.

Supt Frank O’Brien said major serious crime in St Mary’s Park has been investigated from Mayorstone Garda Station and there would be no change in this.

He said to enhance their presence, gardaí will operate an administrative public office in the local regeneration office, three afternoons a week.